Eric Greitens taps KC attorney to head Missouri GOP

Missouri Gov.-elect Eric Greitens has tapped former U.S. Attorney Todd Graves to serve as chairman of the Missouri Republican Party.

Graves, brother of long-time Missouri Congressman Sam Graves, would succeed John Hancock, who leaves the party in extraordinary shape. The Missouri GOP will soon control five of six statewide offices and towering majorities in both the state House and Senate.

“Todd Graves is a conservative fighter, a proven leader in business and his community, and a native Missourian,” Greitens said in a statement Tuesday night. “He will make an outstanding party chair and I’m excited to work with him and his team to take Missouri in a new direction.”

Greitens also endorsed Kay Hoflander for vice chair, Nick Meyers for secretary and Pat Thomas for treasurer. The state’s entire lineup of congressional representatives, led by Sen. Roy Blunt, have endorsed the slate.

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The state party will vote on the lineup at its next meeting in early January. Governors traditionally pick the chair of their political party, and his choice is expected to win broad support.

Graves is a partner at the Graves-Garrett law firm of Kansas City and former U.S. attorney appointed by George W. Bush. He was twice elected as Platte County attorney. He lives with his wife and four children on a farm just north of Kansas City.

He’s represented tea party groups around the country in lawsuits against the IRS over the groups’ tax-exempt status.

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